Bone formation involves hydroxyapatite crystals, whose development begins in matrix vesicles that bud from osteoblasts. Vascular smooth muscle cells that have undergone osteoblast differentiation are also able to release similar vesicles with shared protein content. Such differentiation is restrained or inhibited under normal conditions, and there is a balance with osteoclast differentiation experienced by monocytes and macrophages within the vascular wall. Moreover, the reaction which allows crystal growth is thermodynamically unfavorable and is inhibited by pyrophosphate. In some situations, physiological balance is broken and vascular calcification (VC) is able to progress. VC has traditionally been considered to be a passive process that was associated with advanced age, atherosclerosis, uncommon genetic diseases, and some metabolic alterations such as diabetes mellitus and end-stage kidney failure. However, in the last years, VC has been proven to be an active and regulated process, similar to bone mineralization, in which different bone-related proteins are involved. VCs are actively regulated biological processes associated with crystallization of hydroxyapatite in the extracellular matrix and in cells of the media or intima of the arterial wall. Both patterns of VC often coincide and occur in patients with type II diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and other less frequent disorders; VCs are also typical in senile degeneration. Recent results question the classic classification of VC into intimal and medial calcification, at least in capacitance arteries. Pro- and anti-calcifying mechanisms play an active role in calcium deposit ion in vascular cells, making this area an active focus of research.

Background and Aim: Cardiorespiratory fitness is an important marker for overall health that significantly correlates with obesity-associated morbidities and mortality. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) recorded during an incremental exercise test is the gold standard assessment for aerobic fitness. However, its cost, chronic illness, and frailty often preclude its application. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the abdominal psoas major muscle is a predictor of sarcopenia and surgery outcomes and represents a promising biomarker for cardiorespiratory health. Therefore, in the present study, we have planned to assess the relationship between psoas major CSA, anthropometry, and body composition in a UK-based cohort of 210 men and women. Methods: Body mass (kg), height (cm), waist circumference (cm), VO2max, and blood pressure were measured in each participant. The CSA of psoas major, rectus abdominus, and another abdominal muscle of the core muscle group were assessed. Results: Following adjustment for height, psoas major CSA was found to be a significant predictor of percentage body fat (P = 0.02) in men, and body mass index (BMI) in both men (P = 0.015) and women (P = 0.004). We found psoas major CSA correlated more strongly with VO2max (r = 0.74, P < 0.01) than any other study outcome, including age and BMI. Conclusion: Psoas major muscle CSA represents an accurate, reproducible, and time-efficient surrogate for cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition.

Pain sensation in CD-1 mice following long-term consumption of beans diet in the tail flick and hot plate test

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Aduema Wadioni, CF Iniodu, JK OparaDOI:10.4103/ijcep.ijcep_8_17

Background and Aim: Beans contain serotonin and its precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) which is known to have neurobehavioral effects on pain sensation. In the present study, we have planned to evaluate the effect of chronic consumption of beans diet on pain sensation in mice. Methods: Forty CD-1 mice were randomly assigned into four groups, namely, control, cooked beans diet (50% w/w), uncooked beans diet (50% w/w), while another set of mice were placed on serotonin precursor (5-HTP) diet (0.2 mg/50 g w/w) for 30 days. All the mice had access to clean drinking water ad libitum. Before the neurobehavioral parameters were assessed, the phytochemical analysis of the beans, LD50of the beans, and that of the serotonin precursor (5-HTP) were determined. Serotonin concentration was measured in the beans using gas chromatography analysis. The tail flick and hot plate test were used to assess the pain sensation. Results: In tail flick test, the latency of tail flick in the study group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to the control group in both phases, thus showing a decrease in pain sensation. In hot plate test, the frequency and duration of right hind paw lick in the study group were significantly lower (P < 0.05) compared to control, representing a decrease in pain sensitivity. The latency of jump was significantly higher than the control, showing a decrease in pain sensitivity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that beans diet decreases pain sensation in mice.

Background and Aim: Currently, there is a need for simple yet affordable marker for monitoring cardiovascular (CV) risk, especially for the poor section of the society. Uric acid (UA) is a routine parameter which has been linked to deterioration in glucose metabolism and CV morbidity separately. However, relationship of UA with glycemic status in participants with different body mass index (BMI) has not been explored. Therefore, the present study aims at evaluation of the metabolic and CV profiles in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with different BMIs. Methods: The anthropometric, biochemical, and noninvasive CV risk markers of myocardial work stress such as rate pressure product (RPP) were assessed in patients with diabetes with normal (n = 46) and high BMI (n = 80) compared with healthy age- and gender-matched nondiabetic controls (n = 43). Results: High BMI diabetic patients alone had increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P < 0.05) and RPP (P < 0.05) compared to control. Mean fasting serum glucose (FSG) was highest (P < 0.01) and UA (P < 0.05) was lowest in normal BMI DM patients. Our data show that once DM sets in UA level start rising with rise in FSG and DBP, especially in high BMI DM patients. The myocardial work stress marker RPP was highest in high BMI DM patients, and this was positively associated with increased UA level. The findings of the present study indicate the presence of increased myocardial work stress in DM in the high BMI range which is associated with a steady rise in UA level which is known antioxidant within physiological range. Conclusion: Patients with DM with higher BMI should monitor their CV profile more closely, and this can be achieved by monitoring of simple markers such as UA and RPP even in a rural setting in developing countries.

Effect of outdoor air pollution on pulmonary function of non-smoking auto-rickshaw drivers in Bangalore

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Vedesh Kumar Babu, Komaladevi S DamodarDOI:10.4103/ijcep.ijcep_53_16

Background and Aim: Rapid industrialization and urbanization of Bangalore has led to a rise in the levels of ambient air pollution. Studies show that exposure to ambient air pollution is detrimental to health. Auto-rickshaw drivers are highly susceptible to the effects of this pollution. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of decrease in lung function of non-smoking auto-rickshaw drivers exposed to outdoor air pollution with relation to normal predicted values. Methods: This Cross-sectional study was done in 33 non-smoking auto-rickshaw drivers who were previously asymptomatic and driving for more than 5 years in various parts of Bangalore city in Karnataka. The following parameters of pulmonary function were assessed - FVC (L), FEV1 (L), FEV1 (%), PEFR (L/Second), MVV (L/Min), FEF50 (L/Min), FEF25-75 (L/Min) using the Helios 701 (portable) Spirometer. Statistical analysis was done using IBM statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) Version 21. Results: There was a significant decrease (P < 0.0001) in the actual value of FVC, FEV1, PEFR, MVV, FEF50 and FEF25-75 when compared with that of the predicted value. Conclusion: Our study shows a significant impairment in the lung function of the auto-drivers with a restrictive type of lung disease.

Background and Aim:Ferula assa-foetida L. is distributed throughout Central Asia and Mediterranean area and grows wildly in Iran and Afghanistan. In Iranian traditional medicine, F. assa-foetida is considered to be sedative, analgesic, carminative, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihelminthic, emmenagogue, and expectorant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of seed's essential oil of F. assa-foetida (SEOFAF) in mice. Methods: The analgesic activity of SEOFAF (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) was compared with that of sodium diclofenac (30 mg/kg) or morphine sulfate (8 mg/kg) using hot plate and acetic acid-induced writhing tests. Results: In hot plate test, the percentage of maximum possible effect against the thermal stimulus at 15 min posttreatment time point for all doses of SEOFAF was significantly greater than control group. The number of writhes in all three doses of SEOFAF was significantly less than control group. Conclusion: According to our findings, SEOFAF exhibited a significant antinociceptive effect on chronic and acute pain in mice. These effects probably involve central opioid pathways and peripheral anti-inflammatory action.

Background and Aim: Gender difference has been documented in the cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality associated with obesity. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the gender difference in CV and metabolic risk profile in apparently healthy young adult preobese and obese individuals. Methods: Obesity indices, body composition, blood pressure variability, and autonomic function test parameters were recorded in 270 individuals divided into control (male n = 43; female n = 47), preobese (male n = 48; female n = 42), and obese (male n = 44; female n = 46) groups. Homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance, atherogenic index, leptin, adiponectin, and inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters were measured. The gender difference in CV and metabolic profile between the control, preobese, and obese groups was performed by one-way ANOVA. Results: The abdominal adiposity was more in females as compared to males in both preobese and obese individuals. However, the increased CV risk (decreased heart rate variability) was observed in obese male compared to obese female individuals, which is supported by the increased inflammatory profile (increased interleukin-6) in males compared to females. There was no much gender difference in most of the CV and metabolic parameters in control, preobese, and obese individuals. Conclusion: In the present study, we could not assess much difference in gender between the preobese and obese groups as CV risks and metabolic derangements have not been significantly established in these younger individuals who were in their early phases of preobesity and obesity.

Background and Aim: Tertiary education, especially medical education is highly stressful and demanding as a career. Academic pressure producing stress in a student is not surprising, but this is not the only source of stress among them. A multitude of other factors namely the social environment, changes in the teaching styles may also contribute to the distressed state of the learner. These other factors that may result in the production of stress among students may compound academic-related stress (ARS). Therefore, the aim of the present study is to explore the various sources of stress. Methods: Medical students stress questionnaire, a validated tool was given to 1st year MBBS students, in this cross-sectional study. Data obtained was tabulated and analyzed using ANOVA and multivariate analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22. Results: ARS forms the highest stressor followed by intra- and inter-personal-related stress, least being desire and drive related stress. These stresses are high in intensity. Conclusion: To have competent medical students and thereby doctors, a stress-free environment must be provided to them. By changing medical curriculum and making the college personnel aware of the stresses faced by the students, the intensity of stress may be alleviated.